August 14, 2009 - The Voice of America (VOA) and its parent agency, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), hope for a speedy resolution of whatever issues led to the detention of Rahman Bunairee by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

Bunairee, 33, a VOA stringer in Pakistan, arrived in the United States at Washington Dulles International Airport on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009. Bunairee possessed a J-1 visa that was issued by the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan. Bunairee planned to work for a year for VOA’s Deewa Radio, Pashto language broadcasting to the Afghan-Pakistan border region. The service has recently expanded.

The VOA and the BBG are working with other federal agencies to resolve the situation.